“I’ll be right back,” Ryeowook stated, nodding his head courteously as he hurried out of the company team building room. Kyuhyun was right behind him, catching his arm before he could get very far.

“Where do you think you’re going? Were you really about to leave me in a room alone with those people?” he hissed closed to his lover’s ear.

Ryeowook smiled sheepishly. “Sorry Kyuhyun, I’ll be right back, I promise. I just need to go and check our emails. I’m expecting a reply about our Paris trip next month.”

Reluctantly, Kyuhyun let go of the man. “…Fine, I guess that’s okay.” He looked around the empty hallway before sneaking a quick kiss in. “You’ve got five minutes before I come looking.”

The slender figure nodded, hurrying down the corridor. Kyuhyun watched him go, a smile slowly appearing on his face, but disappearing just as quickly when he heard the familiar jingling of a silver bracelet.

Things have a way of dragging people down from their highs, or shattering their dreams with a simple chain. Kyuhyun gazed after Ryeowook until he was around the corner. They always had fun like this, but it never lasted. There were always going to be times when he knew Ryeowook was far away.

For example, it was a sure sign that Ryeowook was nowhere near Kyuhyun’s wavelength when he was hectically working. Keeping busy was his drug – the way he coped. The higher level stress, the more internal distress he was experiencing. It had reached an all time high after their date at the mall, and so Kyuhyun had done what he could to bring it back down.

The sock ball game ended up working well.

It wasn’t good enough though. He knew that.

Kyuhyun leaned back against the wall, pursing his lips as he scrambled for some new activity. As much as he knew Ryeowook was trying to change little by little, he could already tell the man had fallen off the wagon.

Ryeowook thought he was doing rather well. So far, he had been keeping himself very distracted and indulging in fun with Kyuhyun. That was a good thing, right? At least he wasn’t dwelling on Hyungsik. In fact, he found himself to be proud of what had been accomplished thus far.

Just a little more and he would be cured—

Is that really what you think, beautiful?

He froze at the desk, fingers hovering over the keys. Blinking, Ryeowook turned his head to see his late husband sitting atop the dresser. “Why are you here?” he questioned, utterly confused.

Because you called for me. Hyungsik smiled, tilting his head softly. The outline of him was hazy and his body was translucent, but it was surely the same phantom that had accompanied Ryeowook for years.

“That’s not possible,” he dismissed, “I’m doing better these days. I mean, I only started this whole thing about a week ago, but so far it’s going well.”

If it’s going well, why are you still drowning in work?

“Because I have to get it done,” Ryeowook explained rather defensively, “I mean…if I don’t get it done, no one else will. Besides, I’m always busy—”

—you’re only busy because you don’t want to get close to Kyuhyun. Hyungsik chuckled, hopping down from the dresser. He came up to Ryeowook, kneeling down and leaning forward. If you’re working, you don’t focus on me, but you also don’t focus on Kyuhyun.

“Is it so important?” Ryeowook whispered, chest tightening as he gazed into the flickering phantom’s face. “…I know Kyuhyun is trying, I really do…but it’s okay that I’m still scared, isn’t it?”

Of course it is, beautiful…no one is asking you to forget me. Don’t you see that? The softest brush of wind swept across Ryeowook’s lips and he clenched his jaw, closing his eyes. Hyungsik’s familiar laugh appeared near his ear. So stop trying to forget me. I’m always going to be here. Trust Kyuhyun. He understands. He’ll help you to understand, too…

The door to the hotel room clicked open. Ryeowook’s head shot up. Crossing the threshold was Kyuhyun. He stared at the seated man for a moment before sighing and walking towards him. Reaching out, Kyuhyun gently placed his hand atop Ryeowook’s head, crouching down so their eyes could meet.

“What are you doing, silly?” he murmured, resting his forehead against the others. Kyuhyun swept his thumb across Ryeowook’s cheek, a tear catching. “Crying on vacation isn’t allowed.” He smiled in faint teasing, “That’s your goal for the remainder of the trip.”

Hyungsik was seated on the dresser again, flashing a grin. That’s better! Don’t cry! Easy, right? He waved once before fading into the sunlight.

Ryeowook watched him go before trailing his eyes back to Kyuhyun. “I love him,” he whispered, smiling shakily, “I really love him, Kyuhyun.”

Ignoring the pang in his chest, he brought Ryeowook’s head to his shoulder, patting his back softly. “I know you do. It’s okay,” he cooed, kissing the male’s hair, “everything is going to be alright, I promise.”